Patentable/Patents/US-11501316
US-11501316

Fraudulent activity detection at a barcode scanner by verifying visual signatures

PublishedNovember 15, 2022
Assigneenot available in USPTO data we have
Inventorsnot available in USPTO data we have
Technical Abstract

System and method for detecting a fraudulent activity at a barcode scanner is disclosed. The method issues an alert when the fraudulent activity is confirmed by comparing the visual signature of the item being transacted over the checkout terminal to the model visual signature. The model visual signature is obtained by averaging the collection of visual signature of the item gathered over a period of time. A human validation via a remote processor is employed to confirm the fraudulent activity verified by a computer.

Patent Claims
17 claims

Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.

Claim 2

Original Legal Text

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising, recording a video of the transaction as the item is processed at a terminal during a checkout.

Plain English Translation

A system and method for enhancing transaction processing at a checkout terminal involves capturing and recording video footage of the transaction as items are processed. The method includes scanning or identifying items, determining their prices, and calculating a total transaction amount. During this process, a video recording is initiated to capture the interaction between the customer and the terminal, including the presentation and scanning of items, payment methods, and any additional steps involved in completing the transaction. The recorded video serves as a verifiable record of the transaction, which can be used for dispute resolution, fraud prevention, or quality assurance. The system may integrate with existing point-of-sale (POS) hardware, such as cameras, scanners, and payment terminals, to automate the recording process. The video may be stored locally or in a cloud-based system for later retrieval and review. This approach improves transparency and accountability in retail transactions by providing a visual record that complements traditional transaction data. The method is particularly useful in high-volume retail environments where disputes over item pricing, payment, or transaction accuracy are common. The recorded video can be time-stamped and synchronized with transaction logs to ensure accuracy and prevent tampering.

Claim 3

Original Legal Text

3. The method of claim 2, wherein recording further includes creating a video snippet from the video comprising a portion of the video when the item was processed during the transaction.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to transaction processing systems that capture and store video evidence of item handling during transactions. The problem addressed is the lack of detailed visual documentation for verifying how items were processed, which can be critical for dispute resolution or quality control. The method involves recording video footage during a transaction where an item is processed, such as being scanned, weighed, or otherwise handled. The system identifies the specific portion of the video where the item was processed and extracts a video snippet containing only that relevant segment. This snippet is then stored as evidence, allowing for later review without requiring users to search through lengthy footage. The snippet may include metadata such as timestamps, transaction identifiers, or item details to ensure traceability. The system may also apply compression or formatting to optimize storage while maintaining clarity. This approach improves efficiency in auditing and dispute resolution by providing concise, targeted video evidence of item processing.

Claim 4

Original Legal Text

4. The method of claim 3, wherein creating further includes linking the video snippet to the alert.

Plain English Translation

A system and method for enhancing video surveillance by automatically detecting and processing events of interest. The technology addresses the challenge of efficiently identifying and managing critical incidents in large-scale video surveillance networks, where manual monitoring is impractical. The invention involves capturing video data from surveillance cameras, analyzing the video to detect predefined events or anomalies, and generating alerts when such events are detected. When an event is identified, a video snippet is created, capturing the relevant portion of the video around the detected event. The system further links the video snippet to the corresponding alert, ensuring that the visual evidence is directly associated with the alert for quick reference and investigation. This linkage allows security personnel or automated systems to rapidly access the relevant video footage when responding to an alert, improving response times and accuracy. The method may also include additional steps such as categorizing the event, prioritizing alerts based on severity, or transmitting the alert and linked video snippet to a monitoring station or mobile device. The system may integrate with existing surveillance infrastructure, leveraging machine learning or computer vision techniques to enhance detection accuracy and reduce false positives. The overall goal is to streamline incident response by automating the correlation between alerts and video evidence, making surveillance operations more efficient and effective.

Claim 5

Original Legal Text

5. The method of claim 1, wherein verifying further includes retaining the signature with a group of acceptable signatures for the item identifier when the signature matches the model signature, wherein the group of acceptable signatures are accumulated for previous transactions associated with the item, and updating the model signature based on adding the signature to the group of acceptable signatures.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to a system for verifying signatures in transaction processing, particularly for items with multiple associated signatures. The problem addressed is ensuring accurate signature verification while accounting for variations in signatures over time, such as those from different individuals or the same individual at different times. The method involves comparing a received signature against a stored model signature for an item identifier. If the signatures match, the received signature is retained in a group of acceptable signatures for that item. This group includes signatures from previous transactions, allowing the system to account for variations. The model signature is then updated by incorporating the new signature into the group, refining the verification criteria over time. This dynamic updating ensures that legitimate signature variations are recognized, reducing false rejections while maintaining security. The system is designed for applications where items may have multiple authorized signers or where signatures naturally vary, such as in financial transactions, supply chain management, or document authentication. By continuously updating the model signature based on accumulated acceptable signatures, the method improves verification accuracy and adaptability.

Claim 6

Original Legal Text

6. The method of claim 1, wherein verifying further includes comparing the interesting points against an average of other interesting points represented by the model signature.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to a method for verifying the authenticity of a digital signature by analyzing interesting points within the signature. The method addresses the problem of detecting forgeries or inconsistencies in handwritten or digital signatures by comparing specific features of the signature against a predefined model signature. The model signature represents a set of average interesting points derived from multiple instances of a genuine signature, capturing the unique characteristics of the signer's writing style. The verification process involves extracting interesting points from the signature being verified and comparing these points against the average points of the model signature. By analyzing deviations or similarities between the extracted points and the model, the method determines whether the signature is authentic or potentially forged. This approach enhances security in digital authentication systems by providing a robust mechanism for signature verification based on statistical analysis of key signature features. The method is particularly useful in applications requiring high-security verification, such as financial transactions, legal documents, and access control systems.

Claim 7

Original Legal Text

7. The method of claim 1, wherein verifying further includes comparing the interesting points against a threshold boundary of a range represented by the model signature.

Plain English translation pending...
Claim 8

Original Legal Text

8. The method of claim 1, wherein verifying further includes comparing the interesting points against a predefined variance represented by the model signature.

Plain English Translation

A system and method for verifying the authenticity of a physical object using a model signature derived from a reference object. The method involves capturing a digital representation of the object, identifying unique features or "interesting points" in the captured data, and comparing these points against a predefined variance threshold represented by the model signature. The model signature is generated from a reference object and defines acceptable variations in the object's features. By comparing the captured object's features against this threshold, the system determines whether the object is authentic or counterfeit. The method may also include preprocessing the captured data to enhance feature detection and applying statistical analysis to refine the comparison process. The system is designed to detect subtle differences in physical characteristics that may indicate tampering or replication, ensuring high accuracy in authentication. The approach is particularly useful in industries where counterfeit detection is critical, such as pharmaceuticals, luxury goods, and document verification. The predefined variance threshold allows for flexibility in accounting for natural variations in manufacturing while still detecting intentional alterations.

Claim 9

Original Legal Text

9. The method of claim 1, wherein raising further includes sending the alert to an alert system.

Plain English translation pending...
Claim 10

Original Legal Text

10. The method of claim 1, wherein raising further includes activating a light, generating a visual signal, playing an audible alarm, presenting a message on a display associated with a terminal, sending a text message, sending an email message.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to a system for alerting users of a terminal device, such as a computer or mobile device, to potential security risks or unauthorized access. The method involves detecting an unauthorized access attempt or security breach and raising an alert to notify the user or administrator. The alerting mechanism includes activating a light, generating a visual signal, playing an audible alarm, displaying a message on the terminal's screen, or sending notifications via text message or email. The system ensures timely awareness of security threats, allowing for immediate action to mitigate risks. The method may also include additional steps such as logging the event, restricting access, or triggering further security protocols. The invention aims to enhance security by providing multiple alerting options, ensuring that users are promptly notified of potential threats regardless of their current interaction with the device. The system is designed to be flexible, allowing integration with various terminal devices and security systems to provide comprehensive protection.

Claim 12

Original Legal Text

12. The method of claim 11, wherein identifying the item identifier for each image further includes selecting the interesting points from the image as features associated with a corner, an edge, and an area of high texture depicted in the image for the corresponding item.

Plain English translation pending...
Claim 13

Original Legal Text

13. The method of claim 11, wherein identifying the item identifier for each image further includes adding other interesting points included within the item identifier from the image to the interesting points.

Plain English translation pending...
Claim 14

Original Legal Text

14. The method of claim 11, wherein identifying the item identifier for each image further includes selecting the interesting points from the image as scale-invariant feature transform features associated with the interesting points.

Plain English translation pending...
Claim 15

Original Legal Text

15. The method of claim 11, wherein identifying the item identifier for each image further includes selecting the interesting points from the image as affine invariant features associated with the interesting points.

Plain English translation pending...
Claim 16

Original Legal Text

16. The method of claim 11, wherein identifying the item identifier for each image further includes selecting the interesting points from the image as speeded up robust features associated with the interesting points.

Plain English translation pending...
Claim 17

Original Legal Text

17. The method of claim 11 wherein identifying the item identifier for each image further includes selecting the interesting points from the image as image histogram features associated with the interesting points.

Plain English translation pending...
Claim 18

Original Legal Text

18. The method of claim 11, wherein the alert for each image further includes linking a video snippet to the alert, wherein the video snippet corresponding to the image and representing when the corresponding item was scanned at the terminal during the transaction.

Plain English translation pending...
Claim 20

Original Legal Text

20. The device of claim 19, wherein the item identifier is a barcode, a stock keeping unit number (SKU) or a product lookup number (PLU).

Plain English translation pending...
Classification Codes (CPC)

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Patent Metadata

Filing Date

October 29, 2020

Publication Date

November 15, 2022

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Fraudulent activity detection at a barcode scanner by verifying visual signatures